For a rookie receiver trying to make his mark, sitting on the sideline is the last place he wants to be. But for Packers‘ Matthew Golden, that’s exactly where Head Coach Matt LaFleur put him, despite the receiver’s push to play through a nagging shoulder injury in Week 10.

“I was pushing to play,” Golden admitted in a locker room interview. “I never wanted to be off the field, obviously, but it was kind of just irritation and not being comfortable on the field with the injury that I had, so definitely hard for me being off the field.”

Golden wasn’t just dealing with pain. He was also dealing with discomfort that made him question his effectiveness. LaFleur has called Golden’s status “day-to-day” leading up to the Week 10 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The coach also noted that the wideout was very close to returning. Close. But not ready. The coaches and medical staff evaluated everything and reached a unifying decision: sit him.

“I just didn’t feel comfortable about where I was at physically,” Golden admitted earlier in the interview. “Talked to the coaches, training staff, and we all came down to a decision, and that’s what was best for me.”

The timing certainly stung. Golden has been building momentum through eight games. He has accumulated 23 receptions on 29 targets for 262 yards, with a 46-yard long reception that shows his deep-threat ability. His 11.4-yard average demonstrated efficiency well beyond his rookie status. Then the shoulder flared up and everything stopped.

Golden described what “pushing to play” actually looks like. It’s not just telling coaches you’re ready. It’s pushing through pain in practice, testing limitations, trying to convince yourself and everyone else that you can perform. But Matt LaFleur wouldn’t risk further injury to the team’s historic first-round pick.

And coach LaFleur’s decision to keep Golden sidelined wasn’t heartless; it was calculated. Green Bay’s receiver room is already battered.

Christian Watson is dealing with knee and hamstring issues. Dontayvion Wicks is nursing a calf problem. Savion Williams is managing foot pain. Tight end Tucker Kraft is done for the season with a torn ACL. Losing another weapon, even temporarily, complicated everything in their Week 10 loss to Philly.

But the alternative: rushing Golden back and risking further damage, would’ve been much worse. So, what now? Is Golden ready to suit up again in their Week 11 clash with the New York Giants?

Is Matthew Golden eyeing a Week 11 return?

At last, the Packers’ receiver room appears to have some good news. Matthew Golden returned to the practice field this week and was a limited participant through Wednesday and Thursday (November 12 & 13). His week 11 status remains unspecified as of now, but Friday’s participation would tell us where he stands. But for now, the wideout himself has shared a positive update.

“I feel pretty good,” Golden said about his injury. “I’m excited about being back on the field and being able to rock there and try to help the team as much as I can.”

The week has also provided unexpected benefits beyond physical healing. Golden used the time differently. He studied film with fresh eyes, absorbed defensive schemes without execution pressure, and he’s ready to be more explosive now.

“I feel like it helped me look at some things differently, probably slowed the game down some more for me,” Golden explained.

That perspective matters. Golden’s 23 catches have yet to lead him to the end zone. The second half of the season could now give him opportunities to expand his role in the offense. Matt LaFleur has a plan for the second half. And the first-round pick out of Texas knows what’s possible. Last year at Texas, he became an integral part of the offense as the season progressed. Could that happen in Green Bay? Golden isn’t making predictions just yet.

“I just expect to do what I need to,” he said. “Whenever my number’s called, I know I’m gonna be ready. … whenever the ball’s in the air, do my best to make a play. And run game, I’m gonna block as hard as I can. And just try to contribute to the team whenever I’m not having the ball in my hands.”

Sunday against the Giants will reveal whether Matt LaFleur believes Golden is truly ready this time around. No more pushing. No more pleading. Just performance, waiting to explode.